Solar Panel for Overlanding

[nomis]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but to my understanding, the high voltage system in the Rivians is mainly for power train components, and the 12v batteries run the accessories. And the high voltage system will charge the 12v batteries as they get low fulfilling the duties of an alternator of ICE vehicles.
So can I hook up a Solar Panel and MPPT charge controller to supplement the 12v system when camping/overlanding while using the outlets in the Rivian so that there is less draw on the high voltage system? Not trying to charge the vehicle via solar by any means, but just to trying and reduce the load on 12v system which in turn reduces load on main battery pack.

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[emoore]

No I don't think there's a way to input 12V into the truck if that's what you are asking. Maybe you could trickle charge the 12V batteries but I'd just get one of those stand alone systems (Jackery, Yeti, etc) that has a battery and solar panels and use that for your accessories.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

No I don't think there's a way to input 12V into the truck if that's what you are asking.

Couldn't they just hook a trickle charger (or solar panel / solar generator, etc.) to the 12V leads at the back of the truck?

 

[emoore]

Couldn't they just hook a trickle charger (or solar panel / solar generator, etc.) to the 12V leads at the back of the truck?

yeah I just thought of that and edited my post. I still think it's not worth the trouble over using a portable battery if you are going to buy the solar panels anyway.

 

[jjswan33]

Yeah a good stand alone solar generator is what you want, then just let the truck sleep.

I have the Goal Zero Yeti 1500X, may be overkill for most applications but it also has a 2000W inverter which is better then what the truck has and is able to also be charged by the truck in a pinch. Secondly I wanted 12V in the bed for some lights, fan, water pump etc.

GZ makes smaller ones too if you only need low voltage output. With other brands just be advised that some have trouble recharging from the truck, for example if it's cloudy.

 

[vandy1981]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but to my understanding, the high voltage system in the Rivians is mainly for power train components.

The HVAC system and 120v inverter also run off the high-voltage battery. You can get an idea of what runs off the 12v system here.

You're better off getting running your low-voltage devices through a solar generator. You could even consider an ecoflow delta pro. It's huge and heavy, but it will run pretty much every load you would need and could even be used to charge the Rivian in a pinch.

 

[nomis]

I hear ya, and while portable battery is not a bad idea at all, my biggest resistance against a portable battery is the weight and size of them. Yes there are smaller/lighter options, but I don't want to worry about doing fine calculations about how much power I will need and if they will deplete. I'm usually hauling around a family of 4 and 2 dogs so cargo space is limited, a solar panel can at least fold flat. Also not thrilled about the idea of dropping $1000+ for a decent solar gen system.

 

[supervlover]

You really don't want to run anything off of the small vehicle 12V if at all possible. As others have suggested, either run it off of the 120V inverter which uses the high voltage battery or buy an external portable power station/solar generator (to which you can use with external portable solar panels). A smaller Delta 2 or Delta 2 Max will run majority of camping gear.

 

[NY_Rob]

There's no reason you couldn't charge the vehicle's 12V batts (assuming you have one of the original dual battery builds) off a solar panel and controller. Just keep in mind that if you try to charge via the pigtail 12V leads at the rear of the vehicle.. that only charges one of the 12V batts, so that could cause issues with an imbalance between the two 12V batts, you'd need to connect directly to both 12V batts.
If you have one of the new builds (after march 2023) with the single 12V battery, then you probably could charge the 12V batt through the jump start pigtails.

 

[nomis]

You really don't want to run anything off of the small vehicle 12V if at all possible. As others have suggested, either run it off of the 120V inverter which uses the high voltage battery or buy an external portable power station/solar generator (to which you can use with external portable solar panels). A smaller Delta 2 or Delta 2 Max will run majority of camping gear.

I know there are plenty of benefits to using the portable battery, but is there a primary reason as to why the vehicle 12v system shouldn't be used? Or why having a trickle charge is a bad idea?

 

[HighVoltOverland]

I hear ya, and while portable battery is not a bad idea at all, my biggest resistance against a portable battery is the weight and size of them. Yes there are smaller/lighter options, but I don't want to worry about doing fine calculations about how much power I will need and if they will deplete. I'm usually hauling around a family of 4 and 2 dogs so cargo space is limited, a solar panel can at least fold flat. Also not thrilled about the idea of dropping $1000+ for a decent solar gen system.

If you are keeping it truly 12v, you can get a 100ah 12v for a “floating” circuit and do everything to that.

a lot of the bulk of those solar generators are in the inverter

maybe something like this would fit the bill:

https://drprepare.com/powermax-12v-100ah-lifepo4-battery-and-hub/

 

[HighVoltOverland]

I know there are plenty of benefits to using the portable battery, but is there a primary reason as to why the vehicle 12v system shouldn't be used? Or why having a tickle charge is a bad idea?

I think a lot of folks are wary of stressing what could be a weakness in the architecture,
Safer to just add a non connected component than deal with one or two 12v batteries that are somehow hooked into a 400v system

To safely add stuff like solar to 12v you likely would need to add a power transfer switch between the 400v and 12v so you can have the 12v fed by either the 400v or solar
Not sure if seen an off the shelf transfer switch that supports the amperage of the large battery

And then you’d need a charge controller for the solar


add to that some have to baby batteries, some have a capacitor in there now

it’s just messy real quick for non EE folks to feel safe/ comfortable

 

[nfrank]

I’d bet you’ll use more extra energy from the main battery getting to your destination hauling all this gear than you’d use running the main inverter and powering your equipment that way

 

[supervlover]

I know there are plenty of benefits to using the portable battery, but is there a primary reason as to why the vehicle 12v system shouldn't be used? Or why having a tickle charge is a bad idea?

Unlike a typical ICE vehicle where you have a pretty large battery, the 12V in EVs are tiny, and the risk of it prematurely dying early and creating an issue where you are stranded isn't worth the benefit IMO. While you can use it and trickle charge as needed, your use case of camping/potentially being in a remote area.. is it worth the space savings over a smaller portable battery unit (one that you can top off using the 120V inverter as needed).

 

[jjswan33]

I’d bet you’ll use more extra energy from the main battery getting to your destination hauling all this gear than you’d use running the main inverter and powering your equipment that way

Adding 50lbs of equipment would have no effect on the range/efficiency in an R1. On the other hand keeping it awake all day while you run a fridge definitely would/will and far in excess of what the fridge uses.

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